DEP
Wins Environmental Quality Award From USEPA Region 2

DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd announced today that the agency
has been selected by the EPA as a winner of its annual Environmental
Quality Award for work on the Staten Island Bluebelt system.

The awards are made in celebration of Earth Day. They honor people
and organizations that have made significant contributions to improving
the environment in New York and other USEPA Region 2 jurisdictions,
which include, among others, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands.

The Staten Island Bluebelt is a system of streams, ponds and
other wetlands owned and managed by DEP. The Bluebelt program provides
ecologically sound and cost-effective storm water management for
approximately one third of Staten Island’s land area. It
preserves natural drainage corridors, called Bluebelts. Preservation
of these wetland systems allows them to perform their functions
of conveying, storing and filtering storm water. The Bluebelt also
provides important community open spaces and diverse wildlife habitat.
The program also provides an opportunity for community involvement
in the preservation of Bluebelt sites.

Commissioner Lloyd said, ”We are honored to be presented
with this award. Our Bluebelt program has saved the City tens of
millions of dollars in infrastructure costs when compared to the
costs of constructing conventional storm sewers. Because of its
success, more Bluebelts are currently being constructed in Staten
Island that will provide additional environmental enhancements
to its natural wetland areas.”

The award will be presented to DEP at 2 pm at the EPA office,
located at at 290 Broadway. For further information about the award
ceremony, contact the EPA directly at (212) 637-3660.